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Find out more about SSE

At SSE, our job is to provide the energy people need in a reliable and sustainable way. We're involved in producing, distributing and supplying electricity and gas and we provide other energy-related services as well. SSE is the only company listed on the London Stock Exchange involved in such a wide range of energy businesses.

At a glance

Our strategy

SSE's strategy is to deliver the efficient operation of, and investment in, a balanced range of economically-regulated and market-based businesses in energy production, storage, transmission, distribution, supply and related services in the energy markets in Great Britain and Ireland.

FAQs

General

As an equal opportunities employer there are no age restrictions on any of our vacancies.

Are existing employees eligible to apply?

Yes. Existing employees can apply for all roles as advertised on the careers page as long as you meet the entry requirements for the programme.

I am an International student/applicant am I eligible for the graduate programme?

If you already have your visa in place and therefore have the right to work in UK you are welcome to apply.

However, we are unable to sponsor applicants whom require a visa to work in UK and therefore would not be able to progress your application if you are in this situation.

How often do you recruit?

We recruit for the graduate programme every year with applications being accepted in September and until the end of October.

What will my working hours be?

Your contractual working hours will be 37 each week. Your start and finish times will be flexible in accordance with your placement location’s requirements.

Will I get any holidays?

Is SSE an equal opportunities employer?

SSE values the differences that a diverse workforce brings to the organisation, through the wide ranging knowledge and experience of individuals from all sectors of society.

SSE will not discriminate because of the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (which includes political belief in Northern Ireland), sex or sexual orientation and membership of a travelling community in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. We will not discriminate because of any other irrelevant factor.

SSE will build a culture that values openness, fairness and transparency, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

SSE recognises the need to maximise the value of its contribution to diversity and inclusion and will endeavour to maintain a highly skilled and motivated workforce, in an environment where all employees have an equal opportunity to progress within SSE.

SSE will take positive steps to encourage diversity and demonstrate inclusivity for all members of society in our workforce.

SSE reviews our conditions of service, benefits and facilities to ensure they are fair for all staff.

SSE will monitor the physical features of our premises to consider whether they place disabled workers, job applicants or service users at a substantial disadvantage compared to other staff and take efforts to make our premises accessible for all.

If you are disabled or become disabled, we encourage you to tell us about your condition so that we can identify what steps we can take to support you.

The programme

How will the programme benefit me?

An SSE IT Degree Apprenticeship will not only give you a degree from a highly respected University but you will also gain hands on practical work experience which many university students do not always receive. On top of that your university fees will be paid for by SSE meaning no debt once you complete the programme.

No, if you choose a role out with the area you currently live you would need to find your own accommodation.

What will the assessment process look like?

After completing an online application form we would then send you a link to complete some online tests. Following successful completion of the tests you would then be asked to choose a time slot for a telephone interview. If you are successful from your telephone interview we would then invite you along to an assessment centre which involves a group exercise, interview and we ask you to prepare a short presentation. The interview is competency based and designed to find out more about how you behave in different situations.

What are the pay rates for IT Degree Apprentices?

The 2017 offering is not yet available and will be in keeping with engineering and utilities pay scales. The pay rate for last years Apprentice intake was a minimum of £16,000.

How is the programme structured?

At the start of your programme you would initially attend a two week long induction into SSE most likely at our Havant site. During this week you will meet your programme coordinator, key members of SSE staff and SSE mentors. In your second week you would attend your induction at the University of Chichester at which you will complete your qualification. From then onwards you will work 4 days out of your SSE Havant site each week with one day at university during University term time. Outside of University term time you will work 5 days a week at SSE offices.

Am I guaranteed a job when I finish?

The IT Degree Apprentice programme is designed to provide SSE with the qualified IT specialists we need to help our company function, therefore your role within SSE would be permanent.

On the run up to your successful completion of the IT Degree Apprenticeship your programme coordinator and your manager will work with you to identify where in the business your final placement should be as this is likely to be your permanent role on completion of the programme.

We usually open for applications in January and plan to be at the end of the recruitment process by May. This allows time for us to conduct each stage of the recruitment process.

If I’m unavailable for one of the dates, am I able to reschedule?

We’ll do our best to let you know when the assessment centres are likely to take place so that you can make sure you will be available should you be invited to attend but we understand that things can come up. We will do our best to arrange an alternative date but we can not guarantee this. You can email our inbox if you find you have any issues at apprenticesandtrainees@sse.com.

How will I be notified about news regarding the programme?

You will be notified on the progress of your application by email. This includes any invitation to attend assessments or interviews.

I wasn’t accepted this year how can I improve my chances for the future?

We receive such a high volume of applications for the programme, that we are unable to provide feedback on applications that are unsuccessful before interview. If you are invited to a telephone interview or assessment centre then please ask our recruitment team and we’ll be happy to discuss your interview with you. Reach us on apprenticesandtrainees@sse.com

If I am not successful at gaining a place first time round, can I reapply the following year?

Yes. Your application would be considered for another intake of the programme you would just need to complete an application online the following year.

What happens once I get an offer?

We initially make offers to candidates verbally over the phone. We will then confirm this offer to you in an email and if you accept our offer we will then begin the process to get your contract of employment sent out to you. This can take roughly 6 weeks.